Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

I step out of my sneakers and socks. Leave them in a messy pile.

He presses the door shut. Clicks the lock. Turns to face me. “Your flight okay?”

I nod.

“Iris picked you up?”

“Yeah. Thanks… I think.”

“You eat something?”

“Were you behind the chocolate chip pancakes?”

He shakes his head. “That was all her.”

“Oh. She’s a good friend.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m lucky.”

His blue eyes bore into mine.

I stare back at him. Words crawl into my throat and dissolve on my tongue. None are quite right.

But I can’t keep up this staring contest forever.

I have to say something.

I want to say something.

“I, uh, I kind of freaked out.” My heels plant on the hardwood as I take a step backward. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I didn’t need to give you an ultimatum. I could have waited. But I was scared. And hurt. And I didn’t know what else to do but run.”

He nods. “I’m glad you did.”

“What?” My brow furrows. He’s glad. I… He… That doesn’t make any sense.

He closes the distance between us in three steps.

His hand skims my hip. His palm goes flat on my lower back. He pulls my body into his.

I look up at him.

I stare into those beautiful baby blues. “What is this?”

“Give me a minute to put this together.”

“Okay.” My fingers curl into his soft cotton shirt. I press the fabric into his shoulders. They’re hard. Warm. Familiar.

But are they mine?

I need them to be mine.

He brushes a stray hair behind my ear. “I felt it.”